An Iowa woman and her husband have filed an asbestos suit against 72 defendant corporations, claiming the mesothelioma with which the woman was diagnosed was wrongfully caused.

Leona and Jerry Pettibone claim Leona was diagnosed with the disease March 26, according to a lawsuit filed Sept. 4.

They say Leona has worked from 1954 until now as a cashier, clerk, laborer and operator at various companies.

The Pettibones claim Jerry worked from 1965 until 1986 as an operator and supervisor at Union Carbide Corporation.

They state Jerry would wear clothes home that carried dust created by working around asbestos. Leona would repeatedly be exposed to the dust from Jerry's clothes, according to the suit.

They state Leona's exposure was foreseeable and should have been anticipated by the defendants, according to the lawsuit.

They claim her disease was caused after she was exposed to and inhaled, ingested or otherwise absorbed asbestos fibers.

The Pettibones allege the asbestos-related disease disabled and disfigured Leona and has caused substantial medical costs. Leona also has and will continue to experience physical pain and mental anguish, they claim in the lawsuit.

Mesothelioma hindered and prevented Leona from pursuing her normal course of employment, according to the suit.

As a result, she lost large sums of money, the Pettibones claim.

Because of the disease, Jerry claims he has been deprived of the support, consortium and society of Leona.

In the eight-count lawsuit, the couple is seeking sums in excess of $150,000, punitive and exemplary damages in excess of $100,000, compensatory damages in excess of $150,000, and for other relief the Court deems appropriate.

They also seek punitive damages in an amount sufficient to punish the defendants for their misconduct and to deter similarly situated parties from committing like acts in the future.

They are represented by Nicholas J. Angelides of SimmonsCooper in East Alton.